Sarasota welcomes back its signature fall art festival November 10 – 11, 2012. Consistently ranked among the top 100 outdoor-juried art events in the country, St. Armands Art Festival features more than 200 of the nation’s leading artists as well as top local and regional talent. Admission is free and open to the public.

A vast array of original handmade art, priced to suit all budgets, will be on display and for sale during this two-day art festival. The artistic media represented include paintings, life size sculpture, photography, glass, wood, jewelry, collage, mixed media and ceramics with prices ranging from $25 hand-designed earrings to $30,000 metal sculptures. The artists will line St. Armands Circle with their professional display booths and transform this charming retail and dining district into a first-class outdoor art gallery showcasing their finest work around the entire circle. The east and west bound lanes of South Boulevard of the Presidents will be closed to vehicular traffic for the safety and convenience of festival patrons.

“Our jury process is very selective, this is how we ensure a diverse and eclectic mix of styles and media that appeal to a broad variety of art enthusiasts and collectors,” says festival promoter Howard Alan. “There is truly something for everyone.”

The artists, juried by an independent panel of expert judges and hand-selected from hundreds of applicants based on quality and diversity, will be present for the duration of the festival, available to discuss their art and inspiration. The event appeals to families and people of all ages as a free and fun weekend activity, as well as serious art buyers looking to add to their collections.

Here’s a partial list of local artists that will be participating:

Susan Griggs Allen – Sculpture – Sarasota

Scott Causey – Clay – Sarasota

Renee Davis – Jewelry – Palmetto

Lou Divita – Photography – Sarasota

Elaine Laurent – Cigar Box Art – Sarasota

Len & Debbie Marucci – Metal – Venice

Linda Mayes – Photography – Venice

Arleen & Michael Parker – Jewelry – Sarasota

Harry Roa – Jewerly – Sarasota

Ken Shields – Pottery – Sarasota

John Whitney – Paintings – Sarasota

David Wilson – Metal Sculptures – Sarasota

Special thanks to our sponsors: Comcast, Geico Direct, and the Sarasota Herald Tribune.